SHOWCASE YOUR TALENT ON
BRISBANE'S BIGGEST STAGE
An exclusive opportunity to be selected by one of eight privately owned franchises in the inaugural
Brisbane Premier League and showcase your talent against the best amateur players in QLD.
Click play to watch BPL hype reel
"THINK IPL FOR AMATEUR CRICKETERS"
The Brisbane Premier League (BPL) is a franchise-driven T20 club cricket tournament for juniors through to senior cricketers, where the best compete against the best in an event model based on the IPL.
With team owners such as Ian Healy & Mark Nicholas already secured, the BPL will provide an independent, privatised competition giving you an opportunity to showcase your skills against quality opposition. 8 franchises will make up the BPL for the inaugural 2021 season.
Senior Auction Night
*Senior cricketers play for free*
After the official launch of the BPL, any of Brisbane’s cricketers, aged 18 or over, can put their hat into the ring – regardless of age, previous performance, or the area in which they live or play club cricket. After the nomination closing date, each of the owners will receive a list of those who have nominated for the auction. Then the magic happens. On auction night, each team will have a salary cap. Of course, it’s “monopoly money” – like a fantasy football auction on steroids – to which they must stick to, whatever the outcome. Therefore, owners must beware of maxing out too soon: misjudge the money and they may be mismanaging the team. Equally, with some smart planning (and a bit of luck) they might sneak the steal of the night – a relatively unknown country player for example – and find themselves with a bargain that turns into brilliance. That’s the beauty of an auction and tournament that is for everyone; if you’re in it, you can win it!
For the players, it's all about bragging rights. Who is going to fetch the highest bid? Will you go for more than your mate? There's only one way to find out...
Senior Tournament Timing
- The tournament will be played in the spring as a preseason so as not to clash with any existing Queensland cricket competitions and provide players with an opportunity to mix with new teammates and have a good hit-out leading into their season.
- The Seniors and U19’s competition will run over four or five Sundays in August. Finals day will be played on a Sunday at a premier ground, before all club cricket begins, to ensure families and friends can attend. Games will be live-streamed, ensuring amateur cricket commands the attention it deserves and reaches the widest possible audience. Please note, these dates may be subject to change.
Junior Tournament Timings
- The junior tournament will be played in the September/October school holidays providing players with a great opportunity to play some high level cricket before club, school and rep begins. It also ensures country players have the opportunity to travel and be a part of the tournament.
- The Junior competitions will run over three or four days in a row . Finals day will be played on a Sunday to ensure families and friends can attend. Games will be live-streamed, ensuring amateur cricket commands the attention it deserves and reaches the widest possible audience. Please note, these dates may be subject to change.
Junior Draft Day
- Simply put, there is a draft for each age group that allows the best young players in Queensland to put their names forward, in the hope that they will be picked up and are then able to challenge themselves at the highest level, in the strongest league. To assist, we will provide teams with a talent scout sourced exclusively on their knowledge of the junior cricket landscape. Much like the AFL draft, a lottery determines the order in which owners get their picks. First drawn, first pick and so on. Teams are looking for their best 14 and praying that their rivals don’t secure the players they have their eyes on before they do. The result is a live and fun family-friendly event that is also watchable from any device – you get to see if your kids and their mates are chosen, by who, and where.
- Once teams have been allocated and pictures have been taken, all junior members will sign their very own mock BPL contract; a moment that makes the event feel like part of the professional experience and is definitely the start of the BPL franchise journey. It is both aspirational and rewarding. As the young players make their way in the game, they will come across the best club players in the state, some of course who go on to play for Queensland, even Australia. And that is the greatest inspiration any youngster can have.
- Players who may have previously missed out on a pathway, or indeed those late bloomers, can use this tournament as their platform to compete on an exciting stage that goes a long way to replicating the professional T20 leagues from around the world.
Junior Draft Day
- Simply put, you have a draft for each age group that allows the best young players in Queensland to put their names forward, in the hope that they will be picked up and are then able to challenge themselves at the highest level, in the strongest league. To assist, we will provide you with a talent scout sourced exclusively on their knowledge of the junior cricket landscape. Much like the AFL draft, a lottery determines the order in which you get your picks. First drawn, first pick and so on. You are looking for your best 14 and praying that your rivals don’t secure the players you must have your eyes on before you do. The result is a live and fun family-friendly event that is also watchable from any device – you get to see if your kids and their mates are chosen, by who, and where.
- Once teams have been allocated and pictures have been taken, all junior members will sign their very own mock BPL contract; a moment that makes the event feel like part of the professional experience and is definitely the start of the BPL franchise journey. It is both aspirational and rewarding. As the young players make their way in the game, they will come across the best club players in the state, some of course who go on to play for Queensland, even Australia. And that is the greatest inspiration any youngster can have.
Players who may have previously missed out on a pathway, or indeed those late bloomers, can use this tournament as their platform to compete on an exciting stage that goes a long way to replicating the professional T20 leagues from around the world.
Junior Tournament Timings
- The junior tournament will be played in the September/October school holidays providing players with a great opportunity to play some high level cricket before club, school and rep begins.
- The Junior competitions will run over three or four days in a row . Finals day will be played on a Sunday to ensure families and friends can attend. Games will be live-streamed, ensuring amateur cricket commands the attention it deserves and reaches the widest possible audience. Please note, these dates may be subject to change.
WHAT TYPE OF PLAYER ARE YOU?
Intelligent, opportunistic, pack hunter
Inject fear into your opposition
Weave your way out of any situation
Powerful leader wanting to leave a long lasting legacy
Ruthless and destroy everything in your path
Fight for hours without giving in
Fearless, cool, calm and collected
Entertainer who brings energy and spark
WHO'S BEHIND THE BRISBANE PREMIER LEAGUE?
NICK FITZPATRICK
Nick has worked professionally in cricket for his whole working life. First, in Game Development at Queensland Cricket before Co-Founding the Australian Cricket Institute 4 years ago. Nick has since led Sales & Marketing to help grow the Australian Cricket Institute from 80 cricketers at inception to over 2541 players through their programs last season.
JOEL HAMILTON
One of the Co Founders of the Australian Cricket Institute. Joel has now transitioned from playing semi professional cricket into a career of building business. Having created the Australian Cricket Institute from merely a concept on paper, Joel had since found the gap in the market and developed the Australian Cricket Institute into the largest private coaching organisation in the country.
IAN HEALY
Ian Healy is a legend of Queensland. A Former Queensland Bulls player and captain,Australian player from 1988 - 99. Ian is a Queensland Cricket Board Member, ClubSponsor of the Norths District Cricket Club and Patron Chairman of former Queensland. Players entity, the Bulls Masters.
STUART GILES
Awarded the Norman Martin prize for Pharmacy Administration and Planning in 1991, Stuart has always had a keen interest in the business side of healthcare.
As Co-Founder and Chairman of Icon Group Stuart played a critical role in guiding the growth and vision of the group both locally and abroad and continues to play a leading role in Arc31’s other healthcare investments.
ZIYAAD DESAI
Ziyaad Desai is a former first class cricketer turned businessman. He is the founder and CEO of the NPL. Ziyaad founded the NPL in Johannesburg twelve years ago, during a time when club cricket was struggling to remain relevant. His vision for the future of cricket came down to three clear ideas: commit to the concept that quality and opportunity matters; embrace the future of the modern game; and think bigger - think global and to turn the NPL into a brand which appeals to all cricketers both locally and internationally.
FRANCOIS BRUYNS
Francois is a lawyer qualified in the UK, South Africa and Australia.His principle business has been property development and he has consulted on projects with South Africa’s largest companies, generating over $100 Million AUD in property sales. Francois also worked in Sydney for 6 years for Empire Securities Group where he specialised in capital raising and developed a strong business network.
MARK NICHOLAS
Mark Nicholas captained Hampshire for 12 years and England A in eleven unofficial Test matches. He began in journalism as sports featured writer for the Daily Telegraph in London before moving to Cricinfo. He is best known, however, as a broadcaster working first for Sky in the UK, both Channel 4 and Channel 5, and, of course, Channel Nine in Australia. He won 2 BAFTA’s with Channel 4 and has been twice named as The Royal Television Society’s Sport’s Presenter of the Year. His first book “A Beautiful Game” won there literary awards and his second, “No Spin” - the Shane Warne autobiography - received great acclaim. Mark founded the charity “Chance to Shine” which has been successful in bringing cricket back into state schools in the UK.
CATHIE REID
Cathie has always believed in the role digital solutions have to play in the delivery of exceptional healthcare, and this focus has driven not only her activity at Icon and Epic but sits behind many of the Arc31 investments.
In addition to her role at Arc31 she is the Chair of AUCloud and a Director of the Brisbane Lions Australian Rules Football Club.
Cathie is also keenly awaiting her flight to space as one of Virgin Galactic’s Future Astronauts, and documents that journey at her website.
Don't sit on the sidelines.
Make your mark.
SHOWCASE YOUR TALENT ON BRISBANE'S BIGGEST STAGE